Method and apparatus for holding paper when using a laptop computer

ABSTRACT

This invention provides an apparatus and method for holding paper when using a laptop computer having a paper tray with a means to hold paper. A first rail extends from a tops side of the paper tray and second rail extends from a bottom side of the paper tray. A first track slideably engages the first rail and a second track slideably engages the second track.

CROSSREFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application Serial No. 60/341,139 filed on Dec. 13, 2001. The provisional application Serial No. 60/341,139 is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention generally relates to the field of computer accessories. In particular it relates to an apparatus and method attaching loose paper to a laptop computer in a secure fashion so as the computer user may view the loose paper while simultaneously typing on the laptop computer.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] There are paper holding apparatuses that are designed to be attached to standalone desktop computer monitors at workstations. These devices have been around for years.

[0006] Laptop computers have been available for years however there are no known paper holding apparatuses designed to be used with a lap top computer.

[0007] The paper holding apparatuses designed to be attached to standalone desktop computer monitors are not adaptable to be used on laptop computers. The desktop monitor paper holders are not the right shape and size to be compatible with the lap top computer. The desktop monitor paper holders do not provide a righting surface and does not need to provide a righting surface because a user has a writing surface at the workstation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of this invention is to provide to a laptop computer user a device that will hold loose paper and also provide a firm vertical writing surface while simultaneously using the computer. The advantage of using this device is that it is lightweight (weighing only eight ounces) because it is made from PC/ABS Compatible Thermo Plastic Resin Blend and it allows the laptop user to maintain full mobility of the laptop as well as providing an improved ergonomic working condition. The device consists of two parallel tracks anchored to the rear of the laptop by an adhesive tape with that works in a temperature range between −40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit and a retractable paper tray that provides a solid vertical writing surface. The PC/ABS Plastic is malleable and will adjust to any slight curvature each individual lap top computer may or may not have. Attached to the paper tray is a clip to hold loose papers.

[0009] This invention provides for a method for holding paper when using a laptop computer. A paper tray having a means to hold paper is attached to a laptop computer. The paper tray is positioned so that the paper tray can be viewed when using the laptop computer and then paper can be attached to the paper tray. The paper tray is attached to the back side of the display of the laptop computer. The paper tray can have a first rail that extends from a side of the paper tray and is capable of supporting the paper tray. The first rail can slideably engage a first track. The first track can be attached to the laptop computer using adhesive thereby supporting paper tray. The paper tray can have a second rail capable of supporting the paper tray and extending from a side of the paper tray. The second rail slideably engages a second track. The first track and the second track can be attached to the laptop computer using adhesive.

[0010] This invention also provides for an apparatus for holding paper when using a laptop computer. A paper tray having a means to hold paper has a first rail extending from a top side of the paper tray and a second rail extending from a bottom side of the paper tray that is parallel to the first rail and extending in the same direction as the first rail. A first track capable of supporting the paper tray slideably engaging the first rail having a space to permit the paper tray to slide into the first track and having a surface which allows it to be attached to a laptop computer. A second track capable of supporting the paper tray slideably engages the second rail and has a space to permit the paper tray to slide into the second track and having a surface which allows it to be attached to a laptop computer. The first and second track of the apparatus can have adhesive tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011]FIG. 1 A front view of the paper tray;

[0012]FIG. 2 An isometric view of the paper tray;

[0013]FIG. 3 A back view of the paper tray;

[0014]FIG. 4 A back view of apparatus with the paper tray in an Extended position;

[0015]FIG. 5. An isometric view of a track with a rail extending from the track;

[0016]FIG. 6. A back view of the apparatus with the paper tray in a retracted position;

[0017]FIG. 7. A front isometric view of a laptop computer with the paper tray in an extended position;

[0018]FIG. 8. A side view of a laptop computer with paper tray in a retracted position;

[0019]FIG. 9. A back view of a laptop computer with a paper try in a retracted position;

[0020]FIG. 10. An isometric view of two rails engaging two tracks

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Definitions

[0021] Paper tray—The specific part of the apparatus that will enable the computer operator to attach hard paper documents and view them simultaneously while operating the laptop computer. Optimally, the paper tray size is less the 8 inches in length and less than 9 inches in width. Additionally, the paper tray can be less than an inch thick.

[0022] Means to hold paper—The ability of the apparatus to attach paper documents to the paper tray by a plastic clip or a plastic groove giving the laptop computer operator the means to view the paper documents in the proper position while simultaneously operating the laptop computer.

[0023] Attaching the paper tray to a laptop computer—The process of removing the adhesive backing paper from the pre-attached adhesive strips on the tracks of the apparatus and permanently adhering the apparatus in the proper position on the back of the lap top computer.

[0024] Positioning the paper tray—The process of moving the Paper Tray in a position that will allow the laptop computer user to view paper documents while simultaneously operating the laptop computer.

[0025] Viewed when using the laptop computer—The ability of the laptop user to read attached paper documents while simultaneously operating the laptop computer.

[0026] Attaching paper—The ability of the laptop computer operator to secure paper documents to the Paper Tray by a plastic or metal clip.

[0027] Back side of the display of the laptop computer—The side of the laptop computer opposite of the screen; the place where the apparatus will be attached.

[0028] A first rail—The part of the apparatus that provides the lap top computer operator the ability to slide the apparatus into a position to view attached paper documents and the ability to retract the apparatus into a closed position. This is a support member which extends from the top half of the paper tray.

[0029] A second rail—The part of the apparatus that provides the lap top computer operator the ability to slide the apparatus into a position to view attached paper documents and the ability to retract the apparatus into a closed position. This is a support member which extends from the bottom half of the paper tray.

[0030] Capable of supporting the paper tray—The ability of to provide a stable, solid writing surface, for the paper tray, that will enable the laptop computer operator the write on the attached hard paper documents. The rails and the tracks both support the paper tray when attached to a laptop computer.

[0031] Slideably engages the track—The ability of the paper tray to move into a position for viewing attached hard paper documents as well as the ability to slide into a closed position for purposes of traveling with the laptop computer. The ability of the rails to move in and almost the entire way out of the tracks.

[0032] Using adhesive to attach the track to the laptop computer—The process of removing the backing from the adhesive strips that are pre-attached to the tracks of the “apparatus” and securing the “apparatus” permanently to the lap top computer.

[0033] First track—One unit that houses the first rail and attaches the apparatus permanently to the lap top computer; runs parallel to the second rail.

[0034] Second track—One unit that houses one track and attaches the “Lap Top Paper Holder” permanently to the lap top computer; runs parallel to the first tack.

[0035] Extending from a top side of the paper tray—the upper half of the paper tray. The half where the means to hold paper is located. Can be seen as 10 in FIG. 1.

[0036] Extending from a bottom side of the paper tray—the opposite side of the top side and can be seen as 12 in FIG. 1.

[0037] Parallel to the first rail—extending in the same direction, everywhere equidistant, and not meeting as the first rail

[0038] Extending in the same direction as the first rail—the rail extends from the paper tray in the same direction and is parallel.

[0039] Having a space to permit the paper tray to slide into—The design of the tracks of the apparatus that provides the ability of the paper tray to move into a closed position for purposes of traveling with the lap top.

[0040] Surface which allows it to be attached to a laptop computer—The ability of the tracks of the apparatus to be permanently attached by adhesive to the laptop computer. This can be a flat surface of the tracks. For example the tracks can be an open square. The track can have three flat sides with one open side.

[0041] Adhesive tape—Tape which allows the apparatus to attach to the laptop computer. The tape can have a removable backing strip that will be used to secure the apparatus to the laptop computer.

Description

[0042]FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show the paper tray 2. The paper tray 2 has a means to hold paper 4 (not shown in FIG. 3). The paper tray 2 has a first rail 6 extending from a top side 10 of the paper tray. A second rail 8 extends from a bottom side 12 of the paper tray 2 and is parallel to the first rail 6 and extends in the same direction as the first rail 6. The paper tray 2 is flat to provide a smooth firm writing surface for paper. Paper can be attached to the means to hold paper 4. The paper tray 2 is less than 8 inches in length and 9 inches in width.

[0043]FIGS. 4 and 6 show a top view of the apparatus attached to a backside 14 of the display of a laptop computer 16 with the laptop computer 16 in a closed position with the display (not shown) on top of the keyboard. FIG. 4 shows the apparatus with the paper tray 2 in an extended position. FIG. 6 shows the apparatus with the paper tray 2 in a retracted position. A first track 18 slideably engages the first rail 6. A second track 20 slideably engages the second rail 8. Paper strips can be removed for the first track 18 and second track 20 thereby exposing adhesive and allowing the first track 18 and second track 20 with the paper tray 2 in a retracted position (as shown in FIG. 6) to attached to the backside of the display 14 of the lap top computer 16. When in the retracted position the paper tray 2 slides into the first track 18 and the second track 20. The paper tray can the be slid out into an extended position (as shown in FIG. 4). In the extended position the paper tray 2 is supported by the first rail 6 and the second rail 8 which are supported by the first track 18 and the second track 20.

[0044]FIG. 5 shows a close up view of the second track 20 slideably engaging the second rail 8. The second track 20 and the first track 18 (not shown) have a space 22 that allows the paper tray 2 to slide into the second track 20 and the first track 18.

[0045]FIG. 7 shows a laptop computer 16 in the open position with the display 24 90 degrees from the keyboard 26. The paper tray 2 is shown in an extended position. A piece of paper can be attached to the means to hold paper 4. The paper tray 2 is in position so that the paper can be viewed when using the laptop computer 16 without having to hold the paper. Because the paper tray 2 is a flat firm surface it can also be used as a writing surface.

[0046]FIG. 8 shows the laptop computer 16 in the closed position when the screen 24 is closed onto the keyboard 26. The paper tray 2 is in the retracted position so that it is in the first track 18 and the second track 20.

[0047]FIG. 9 shows the laptop computer in the open position. The paper tray 2 is in the retracted position. The first rail 6 and the tops side 10 of the paper tray 2 are slid into the first track 18 and the second rail 8 and the bottom side 12 of the paper tray 2 are slid into the second track 20. The first track 18 and second track 20 are attached to the backside 14 of the display 24 (not shown) of the laptop computer 16.

[0048]FIG. 10 shows a close up view of the first track 18 slideably engaging the first rail 6. The second track 20 and the first track 18 have a space 22 that allows the paper tray 2 to slide into the second track 20 and the first track 18.

[0049] A mold will be made for the apparatus. A PC/ABS compatible thermo plastic resin blend is injected into the mold to create the apparatus. 

I claim:
 1. A method for holding paper when using a laptop computer comprising: a. providing a paper tray that has a means to hold paper; b. attaching the paper tray to a laptop computer; c. positioning the paper tray so that the paper tray can be viewed when using the laptop computer; and d. attaching paper to the paper tray.
 2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the paper tray is attached to the back side of the display of the laptop computer.
 3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein the paper tray has a first rail that extends from a top side of the paper tray and is capable of supporting the paper tray.
 4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the first rail slideably engages a first track.
 5. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein attaching the paper tray is done by using adhesive to attach the first track to the laptop computer.
 6. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein the paper tray has second rail capable of supporting the paper tray that extends from a bottom side of the paper tray.
 7. A method as recited in 6 wherein the second rail slideably engages a second track.
 8. A method as recited in 7 wherein attaching the paper tray is done by using adhesive to attach the first track and second to the laptop computer.
 9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is a thermo plastic resin blend.
 10. An apparatus for holding paper when using a laptop computer comprising: a. a paper tray having a means to hold paper; b. a first rail extending from a top side of the paper tray; c. a second rail extending from a bottom side of the paper tray that is parallel to the first rail and extending in the same direction as the first rail; d. a first track capable of supporting the paper tray slideably engaging the first rail; and e. a second track capable of supporting the paper tray slideably engaging the second rail.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the first track and the second track have a space to permit the paper tray to slide into the first track and second track when in a retracted position.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the first track and second track each have a surface that allows the first track and second track to be attached to a laptop computer.
 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the first track and the second track have adhesive tape.
 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein the adhesive can be used between the temperatures of −40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
 15. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the entire apparatus weighs 8 ounces or less.
 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the paper tray has a flat surface.
 17. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the paper tray is less than an inch thick.
 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the apparatus is made of a thermo plastic resin blend.
 19. The apparatus as recited in claim 10 wherein the paper tray is less than 8 inches long, 9 inches wide and 1 inch thick. 